Pope Leo XIV’s weeklong visit to Spain has brought him to a once-staunchly Catholic country that has long been in the throes of waning religious practice.
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Clergy attend the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Basilica of the Sagrada FamÌlia in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. CORRECTS FROM PRIESTS TO CLERGY (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Clergy attend the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Basilica of the Sagrada FamÌlia in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. CORRECTS FROM PRIESTS TO CLERGY (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Attendees wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV to attend a meeting with organizations working with migrants in Arguineguin in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, Thursday, June 11, 2026.(AP Photo/Arturo Rodriguez)
Pope Leo XIV throws a bouquet of flowers into the sea, flanked by migrants, during a meeting with organisations working with migrants in Arguineguin at the Canary Islands, Spain, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV blesses a migrant during a meeting with organisations working with migrants in Arguineguin at the Canary Islands, Spain, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV blesses a child as he meets with faithful and members of the diocesan charity and welfare organizations in the Church of Sant Agusti in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Priests attend the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Basilica of the Sagrada FamÌlia in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Priests attend the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Basilica of the Sagrada FamÌlia in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Pope Leo XIV leaves at the end of a meeting with faithful and members of the diocesan charity and welfare organizations in the Church of Sant Agusti in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
A view of the ceiling at the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia before Pope Leo XIV's arrival to celebrate Mass in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Pope Leo XIV leads a rosary prayer at the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, in Montserrat, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV blesses a child before a prayer vigil at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Antoni Gaudí's Basilica of the Sagrada Família stands at dusk as seen from the Mirador Torre Glòries in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Pope Leo XIV leads a rosary prayer at the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, in Montserrat, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV presides over the midday prayer in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, on the fourth day of a seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Bishops wait the arrival of Pope Leo XIV to attend a prayer vigil at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Young people dance to the music before the arrival of Pope Leo XIV to attend a prayer vigil at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Pope Leo XIV arrives to attend a prayer vigil at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Pope Leo XIV presides over the midday prayer in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia in Bacelona, Spain, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, on the fourth day of a seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV waves to the cheering crowd after attending a midday prayer at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
People react as Pope Leo XIV arrives on the occasion of a meeting with the diocesan community at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Pope Leo XIV reads L'Osservatore Romano newspaper aboard an ITA Airways Airbus A320neo during his flight from Rome to Madrid, Saturday, June 6, 2026, marking the start of a seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, Pool)
Spain's Airforce fighter jets escort the papal flight departed from Rome heading to Madrid, Saturday, June 6, 2026, on the occasion of Pope Leo XIV apostolic journey to Spain. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, Pool)
People catch a glimpse from their homes of Pope Leo XIV arriving at Plaza de Lima in Madrid, Saturday, June 6, 2026, for a prayer vigil with young people on the first day of a seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
A group of nuns wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV during a prayer vigil with young people at Plaza de Lima in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, June 6, 2026, on the first day of his seven-day apostolic visit to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Pope Leo XIV, accompanied by the Archbishop of Madrid Cardinal José Cobo Cano, left,, arrives at Plaza de Lima in Madrid, Saturday, June 6, 2026, for a prayer vigil with young people on the first day of a seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
People wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV during a prayer vigil with young people at Plaza de Lima in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, June 6, 2026, on the first day of his seven-day apostolic visit to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
A mother and her two children are greeted by Pope Leo XIV at CEDIA 24 Horas, a comprehensive support center for homeless people, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, June 6, 2026, on the first day of his seven-day apostolic visit to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Pope Leo XIV arrives at Madrid's Adolfo Suarez International Airport, Saturday, June 6, 2026, as he starts a seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
People wait for Pope Leo XIV in Plaza de Lima in Madrid, Saturday, June 6, 2026, for a prayer vigil with young people on the first day of Leo's seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV meets with King of Spain Felipe VI Queen Letizia, and Leonor, Princess of Asturias, and Infanta Sofia at the at the Royal Palace in Madrid, Saturday, June 6, 2026, on the occasion of his Apostolic journey to Spain. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
People wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV during a prayer vigil with young people at Plaza de Lima in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, June 6, 2026, on the first day of his seven-day apostolic visit to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Pope Leo XIV is welcomed by Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, as he arrives at the Royal Palace in Madrid, Saturday, June 6, 2026, on the first day of his seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV arrives in the popemobile at Plaza de Lima in Madrid, Saturday, June 6, 2026, for a prayer vigil with young people on the first day of a seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Pope Leo XIV next to King Felipe and Queen Letizia arrives at Adolfo Suarez-Madrid Barajas Airport in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, June 6, 2026, at the start of a seven-day pastoral visit to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Pope Leo XIV holds a Badminton racket presented to him by Rio 2016 Olympic champion Carolina Marin and by Paralympic athlete Teresa Perales, second from right, during the meeting "Building networks with the world of culture, art, economy and sport" at the Movistar Arena in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, June 7, 2026 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV arrives to attend the meeting "Building networks with the world of culture, art, economy and sport" at the Movistar Arena in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)
Spanish Flamenco dancers perform for Pope Leo XIV during the meeting "Building networks with the world of culture, art, economy and sport" at the Movistar Arena in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, June 7, 2026 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
A man holds a portrait of Pope Leo XIV during a Mass marking the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi at Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, June 7, 2026, on the second day of his seven-day apostolic visit to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Priests wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV ahead of a Holy Mass and Corpus Christi procession at Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, June 7, 2026, on the second day of his seven-day apostolic visit to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Pope Leo XIV presides over a Mass marking the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi at Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, June 7, 2026, on the second day of his seven-day apostolic visit to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Pope Leo XIV shakes hands outside the Spanish parliament in Madrid, Spain, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Pope Leo XIV is flanked by Francina Armengol, President of the Congress of Deputies of Spain, left, and Pedro Rollan Ojeda, President of the Senate of Spain, as he meets with members of the Spanish Parliament at the Congress of deputies, in Madrid, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Nuns wait to greet Pope Leo XIV in Madrid, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)
Pope Leo XIV waves in Madrid, Spain, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)
Pope Leo XIV arrives on the occasion of a meeting with the diocesan community at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Youths stage a soccer match during a meeting with Pope Leo XIV and the diocesan community at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Monday, June 8, 2026 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Clergy attend the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Basilica of the Sagrada FamÌlia in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. CORRECTS FROM PRIESTS TO CLERGY (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Clergy attend the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Basilica of the Sagrada FamÌlia in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. CORRECTS FROM PRIESTS TO CLERGY (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Attendees wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV to attend a meeting with organizations working with migrants in Arguineguin in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, Thursday, June 11, 2026.(AP Photo/Arturo Rodriguez)
Pope Leo XIV throws a bouquet of flowers into the sea, flanked by migrants, during a meeting with organisations working with migrants in Arguineguin at the Canary Islands, Spain, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV blesses a migrant during a meeting with organisations working with migrants in Arguineguin at the Canary Islands, Spain, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV blesses a child as he meets with faithful and members of the diocesan charity and welfare organizations in the Church of Sant Agusti in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Priests attend the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Basilica of the Sagrada FamÌlia in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Priests attend the inauguration of the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Basilica of the Sagrada FamÌlia in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Pope Leo XIV leaves at the end of a meeting with faithful and members of the diocesan charity and welfare organizations in the Church of Sant Agusti in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
A view of the ceiling at the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia before Pope Leo XIV's arrival to celebrate Mass in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Pope Leo XIV leads a rosary prayer at the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, in Montserrat, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV blesses a child before a prayer vigil at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Antoni Gaudí's Basilica of the Sagrada Família stands at dusk as seen from the Mirador Torre Glòries in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Pope Leo XIV leads a rosary prayer at the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, in Montserrat, Spain, Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV presides over the midday prayer in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, on the fourth day of a seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Bishops wait the arrival of Pope Leo XIV to attend a prayer vigil at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Young people dance to the music before the arrival of Pope Leo XIV to attend a prayer vigil at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Pope Leo XIV arrives to attend a prayer vigil at Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Pope Leo XIV presides over the midday prayer in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia in Bacelona, Spain, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, on the fourth day of a seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV waves to the cheering crowd after attending a midday prayer at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
People react as Pope Leo XIV arrives on the occasion of a meeting with the diocesan community at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Pope Leo XIV reads L'Osservatore Romano newspaper aboard an ITA Airways Airbus A320neo during his flight from Rome to Madrid, Saturday, June 6, 2026, marking the start of a seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, Pool)
Spain's Airforce fighter jets escort the papal flight departed from Rome heading to Madrid, Saturday, June 6, 2026, on the occasion of Pope Leo XIV apostolic journey to Spain. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, Pool)
People catch a glimpse from their homes of Pope Leo XIV arriving at Plaza de Lima in Madrid, Saturday, June 6, 2026, for a prayer vigil with young people on the first day of a seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
A group of nuns wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV during a prayer vigil with young people at Plaza de Lima in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, June 6, 2026, on the first day of his seven-day apostolic visit to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Pope Leo XIV, accompanied by the Archbishop of Madrid Cardinal José Cobo Cano, left,, arrives at Plaza de Lima in Madrid, Saturday, June 6, 2026, for a prayer vigil with young people on the first day of a seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
People wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV during a prayer vigil with young people at Plaza de Lima in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, June 6, 2026, on the first day of his seven-day apostolic visit to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
A mother and her two children are greeted by Pope Leo XIV at CEDIA 24 Horas, a comprehensive support center for homeless people, in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, June 6, 2026, on the first day of his seven-day apostolic visit to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Pope Leo XIV arrives at Madrid's Adolfo Suarez International Airport, Saturday, June 6, 2026, as he starts a seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
People wait for Pope Leo XIV in Plaza de Lima in Madrid, Saturday, June 6, 2026, for a prayer vigil with young people on the first day of Leo's seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV meets with King of Spain Felipe VI Queen Letizia, and Leonor, Princess of Asturias, and Infanta Sofia at the at the Royal Palace in Madrid, Saturday, June 6, 2026, on the occasion of his Apostolic journey to Spain. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
People wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV during a prayer vigil with young people at Plaza de Lima in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, June 6, 2026, on the first day of his seven-day apostolic visit to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Pope Leo XIV is welcomed by Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, as he arrives at the Royal Palace in Madrid, Saturday, June 6, 2026, on the first day of his seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV arrives in the popemobile at Plaza de Lima in Madrid, Saturday, June 6, 2026, for a prayer vigil with young people on the first day of a seven-day apostolic journey to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Pope Leo XIV next to King Felipe and Queen Letizia arrives at Adolfo Suarez-Madrid Barajas Airport in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, June 6, 2026, at the start of a seven-day pastoral visit to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Pope Leo XIV holds a Badminton racket presented to him by Rio 2016 Olympic champion Carolina Marin and by Paralympic athlete Teresa Perales, second from right, during the meeting "Building networks with the world of culture, art, economy and sport" at the Movistar Arena in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, June 7, 2026 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Leo XIV arrives to attend the meeting "Building networks with the world of culture, art, economy and sport" at the Movistar Arena in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)
Spanish Flamenco dancers perform for Pope Leo XIV during the meeting "Building networks with the world of culture, art, economy and sport" at the Movistar Arena in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, June 7, 2026 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
A man holds a portrait of Pope Leo XIV during a Mass marking the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi at Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, June 7, 2026, on the second day of his seven-day apostolic visit to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Priests wait for the arrival of Pope Leo XIV ahead of a Holy Mass and Corpus Christi procession at Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, June 7, 2026, on the second day of his seven-day apostolic visit to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Pope Leo XIV presides over a Mass marking the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi at Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, June 7, 2026, on the second day of his seven-day apostolic visit to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Pope Leo XIV shakes hands outside the Spanish parliament in Madrid, Spain, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Pope Leo XIV is flanked by Francina Armengol, President of the Congress of Deputies of Spain, left, and Pedro Rollan Ojeda, President of the Senate of Spain, as he meets with members of the Spanish Parliament at the Congress of deputies, in Madrid, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Nuns wait to greet Pope Leo XIV in Madrid, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)
Pope Leo XIV waves in Madrid, Spain, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrea Comas)
Pope Leo XIV arrives on the occasion of a meeting with the diocesan community at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Youths stage a soccer match during a meeting with Pope Leo XIV and the diocesan community at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Monday, June 8, 2026 (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge ruled Monday that there is enough evidence to put singer D4vd on trial in the killing and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez after, authorities said, she had threatened to expose their relationship and crater his career.
Los Angeles Judge Charlaine Olmedo decided the evidence prosecutors presented at a preliminary hearing that spanned five days provided probable cause for a trial on charges of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.
“The people have met their burden on all counts,” Olmedo said. She ordered that Burke continue to be held without bail.
D4vd, the 21-year-old singer born David Burke whose career was steeply rising before the allegations emerged, has pleaded not guilty. He showed no emotion when the judge issued her ruling. Defense lawyers declined to comment outside court after the ruling.
Olmedo emphasized that the probable cause standard for a preliminary hearing like this is much lower than the threshold at trial. However, prosecutors asserted the evidence was overwhelming.
“Based on the mountains of evidence presented,” Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman said, “all of the allegations have been proved way beyond the standard required.”
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said outside court that prosecutors are still weighing whether to seek the death penalty. Burke is to be arraigned Aug. 31.
Prosecutors on Monday wrapped up their case by giving a moment-by-moment account of Rivas Hernandez's last night, showing that after a stream of text messages with Burke, her phone went permanently silent when she arrived at his home.
As she neared his Hollywood home shortly after 10 a.m. on April 23, 2025, in an Uber he had sent to pick her up, she sent her final text: “girly pop i’m almost there open ur door if ur home.”
Prosecutors allege Burke stabbed her to death when she came through the door.
The night before, the two argued via text about his relationship with a woman. She sent him an angry and profane text saying she will tell her dad so many lies about him and “i will end ur career and ur life.”
Prosecutors said that Burke met Rivas Hernandez when she was 11, began sexually abusing her when she was 13 and he was 18, stabbed her to death when she threatened to report him and ruin his career, and cut up her body in his garage with chain saws.
Prosecutors said they have records showing Burke ordered chain saws and wading pools that he used to dismember her body in his garage, and that her DNA was found there on blood stains discovered when police served a search warrant.
They said he then drove around for weeks and even months with the body in the trunk. Her decomposing body was found in the Tesla registered to Burke that was towed from the Hollywood Hills in September, a little more than four months later.
Prosecutors said the car was parked around the corner from his house, and surveillance video will show he was the last person to drive it.
After the final witness on Monday, the defense argued that the evidence was insufficient and the murder charge should be dismissed.
“There’s no evidence that Mr. Burke harbored a deliberate intent to kill Miss Hernandez,” said Burke's attorney, Marilyn Bednarski.
She said the communications between Burke and Rivas Hernandez showed “no threat, no evidence of a history of violence” and that he had “the opposite of homicidal malice” toward her.
She argued that a medical examiner ruling that her death was a homicide from two puncture wounds was too vague and inconclusive to be evidence of murder. The defense did not directly give an alternative theory on how she died and isn't required to.
The defense showed several other texts from Rivas Hernandez threatening him about their relationship, and saying she would go to Burke's mother, talk to his friends and “leak” information about them.
Under questioning from defense attorney Blair Berk, Farrell said he saw no indication that she ever threatened to go to police or pursue any legal action against him.
The defense also established that she had asked seven times to come to see him in the days before her death, and he reluctantly agreed only after she demanded it, and that she had threatened to kill Burke and to mutilate him.
The defense argued that all of the malice had come from her.
Silverman told the judge that “the defense tried numerous times throughout these proceedings to dirty up the victim” despite her being a child.
The detective also said under questioning from Berk that the parents of both Burke and Rivas Hernandez knew about their relationship, that he had attended church with members of her family and that her parents had given their consent for her to go to London with him for a week.
After her phone went silent, Burke sent her several other messages that night asking where she was, and expressing concern. Prosecutors allege those messages were sent as cover after he had killed her.
Prosecutors allege Burke dismembered the body in his garage. A police analyst testified earlier in the hearing that samples pulled from apparent blood stains there matched her DNA.
Her body was found in a Tesla registered to him nearly five months later.
In earlier testimony, Farrell recounted dozens of sexually explicit photos of Burke and Rivas Hernandez and years of text messages that described the same things, along with conversations that indicated she had gotten an abortion in 2024 at 13 after he got her pregnant.
Farrell described the photos that could not be shown in court, material so graphic that it left Rivas Hernandez's mother in tears and prompted both parents to leave the courtroom on Friday. They were back in court Monday.
D4vd (pronounced “David”) became an online musical phenomenon as a teen with a blend of indie rock, R&B and lo-fi pop. He had huge followings on TikTok, Soundcloud and Spotify, where his top songs, including his 2022 breakthrough “Romantic Homicide,” have more than a billion plays.
In 2024 he played the Coachella music festival and released his first full-length album, “Withered,” two days after authorities say Rivas Hernandez was killed.
FILE - D4vd appears at Variety's Power of Young Hollywood in Los Angeles on Aug. 8, 2024. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman speaks to reporters in Los Angeles Tuesday, July 21, 2026, regarding the case of David Anthony Burke, known as D4vd, who was charged with killing a 14-year-old girl whose dismembered body was found in his car. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
FILE - A makeshift memorial for Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose body was found inside a vehicle owned by singer D4vd, is displayed outside her home in Lake Elsinore, Calif., on April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
In this courtroom sketch, David Anthony Burke, who is known as D4vd, is seen in court Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Bill Robles via AP)
FILE - A makeshift Memorial for Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was killed and found inside a vehicle owned by singer D4vd, is placed outside her home in Lake Elsinore, Calif., on April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, file)